From Thanksgiving to Christmas: Gratitude as Our Advent Preparation, by Suellen Brewster

By Suellen Brewster, Catholic Exchange, 27 Nov 2025

Suellen Brewster is a wife, mother, and happy revert to the Catholic faith. She helps lead the local Ignatian Exercises and is a member of the Dominican laity. Suellen writes from her home outside of Buffalo, New York, where the long winters invite souls into quiet prayer and reflection.

Late November into December is a very special time of the year. In the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving just before Advent begins. With God there is no such thing as a coincidence. Perhaps He has given Americans a special grace in the placement of this holiday on the doorway of our liturgical season of preparation for Christmas and the coming of Jesus at the end of time.

Thanksgiving is gratitude expressed. Fr. John Hardon’s definition of gratitude includes:

The virtue by which a person acknowledges, interiorly and exteriorly, gifts received and seeks to make at least some return for the gift conferred. (It) consists of an interior disposition, a grateful heart…

God has given us our very existence and continues to sustain our lives at every moment. He hopes that we will give our gratitude to Him for this and all gifts. He hopes this not because He needs our thanks, but because He knows a grateful heart will open us up to deeper life in Him. ….

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